2026 Film Review: Potential Breakout Defensive Backs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the off-season, we've been doing an extensive film review over 100s of prospects in the Natural State. This article will go over potential breakout defensive back prospects in the class of 2026. Here are five athletes that I believe will showcase their skillset in 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1257465' first='Orion' last='Roberts']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Arkadelphia","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-7u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e155 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernArkadelphia defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1257465' first='Orion' last='Roberts'] showcases a sideline-to-sideline motor. Roberts displays good recovery speed with fluidity to transition and stay with his man. He's able to line up off-man, on the boundary or play up and close to the box. Demonstrates the ability to tackle in open space with good technique and physicality.rnrnNote - 4.62 40","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662932189646c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Orion_Roberts5","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Orion_Roberts5 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1152703"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e6-Footu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e175 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernPine Bluff defensive back Brayon Stigger brings versatility in run support and lockdown help in the secondary. Stigger displays solid read and react ability, flying downhill to make a play in run support or forcing a PBU. Demonstrates good open space tackling ability with solid technique. Good ball tracking skills with the ability to high point in contest and disrupt the play.rnrnNote – Multi Sport Athlete","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66293218964f3"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/braylon_stigger/status/1778470431973851556","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/braylon_stigger/status/1778470431973851556 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1257467' first='Zavier' last='Jones']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"20266","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"130","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fordyce","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-9u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e130 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernFordyce defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1257467' first='Zavier' last='Jones'] showcases effort and the willingness to hit. Displays impressive ability to tackle in space with solid technique and physicality. Demonstrates good read and react ability, instantly breaking on the ball and forcing a PBU. He's able change direction smoothly, allowing him to stay on top of his zone.rnrnNote - 4.0 GPA","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66293218965a8"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ZavierJones08/status/1703549140213301755","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZavierJones08/status/1703549140213301755 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1157354"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-10u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e160 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernMorrilton defensive back u003cspan class=u0022pn-tooltip pn-player-linku0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022name-pointeru0022 data-ol-has-click-handler=u0022u0022u003eJoshua Sharpu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003e is a true run support corner, always attacking the outside with the ability to shed blocks, making the play or forcing it back inside. Consistent open field tackler with good technique and physicality. Sharp displays good feel in zone coverage with good awareness and the ability to react instantly.rnrnNote – 4.78 40rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.maxpreps.com/ar/morrilton/morrilton-devil-dogs/athletes/josh-sharp/?careerid=mpvfitjaus4o8u0022u003eJosh Sharp's High School Career Home (maxpreps.com)u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6629321896640"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1257463' first='Kyelen' last='Griffin']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sylvan Hills","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003culu003ern tu003cliu003e5-Foot-11u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e160 Poundsu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDefensive Backu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eClass of 2026u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernSylvan Hills defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1257463' first='Kyelen' last='Griffin'] showcases fluidity, athleticism and awareness in the secondary. Griffin displays good read and react ability with awareness. He's able to keep his eyes in the backfield, allowing him to recognize and attack downhill. Demonstrates good angles, tackling technique to dominate and secure in space. Keeps everything underneath, not allowing room for separation and forcing a PBU. Has good fluidity and recovery speed to transition and get vertical and/or stay inside the hip pocket of the receiver.rnrnNote - 3.1 GPA / 4.5 40","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66293218966f7"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Ky3l3nn/status/1782173578055582018","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Ky3l3nn/status/1782173578055582018 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->